Best Car Ride

2009 was not exactly a "car ride" kind of year. Sure, we made the 285 mile trip from Seattle to Spokane and back, several outings south on Interstate 5 and across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to Gig Harbor, and a wide several hundred mile loop east on the North Cascades Highway with a return west over Steven's Pass on Hwy 2 during mid summer. But, I'm not sure any of these excursions really capture the spirit of the prompt for the day which reads: "Car Ride. What did you see? How did it smell? Did you eat anything as you drove there? Who were you with?"

The exception would be the several hour car trip Denny and I made through Mt. Diablo State Park in California in mid November. The adventure was phenomenal, most definitely a "car ride" to remember. Having arrived in Walnut Creek, CA several days before our son's wedding, we had a day when not much was going on, a day when all we had to do was make one trip to the airport to pick up Laura and could spend the rest of the time exploring the area. The weather was picture perfect; clear and cool. The 3,864 foot peak of Mt. Diablo, accessible by a winding road with lots of switchbacks, offered magnificent views in all directions. We could see all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

I was with the man I love. The scenery was rich. There was no need for food. The air smelled fresh. I was glad to soak up the natural beauty of the region and to consider the many times my daughter-in-law's family must have made that same journey together. The entrance to this treasure of a state park is literally minutes from their home. I can understand why the mountain is so special to them and was glad to experience what they've enjoyed for so many years. Great suggestion, Wayne and Tina! Thanks.